Family Planning: Artificial

Method
Why use family planning?

Benefits

 Mothers and babies are healthier when risky pregnancies are avoided.
 Smaller families mean more money and food for each child.
 Parents have more time to work and to be with family.
 Delaying first or second pregnancy lets young people stay in school.
Different Types of Family Planning in
Artificial Method
There are many types of Artificial Family Planning. You and your spouse can choose which method is
good for the both of you. Some are more effective than others. Some are easier to use and some are harder to
use. Methods that are harder to use may be less effective if you don’t choose them correctly. Here are the list
of different Artificial Methods that you can use:

 Pills
 Condom
 IUD
 Implants
 Vasectomy
 Tubal Ligation
 Injections
The Pills
Birth control pills (also called oral
contraceptive pills and the “Pill”) are a type of
female hormonal birth control method and are very
effective at preventing pregnancy. The Pills are
small tablets that you swallow each day. Most pills
contain two types of synthetic (man-made) female
hormones: estrogen and progestin. These are similar
to the estrogen and progesterone normally made by
the ovaries. The hormones in the pills prevent
pregnancy by suppressing the pituitary gland, which
stops the development and release of the egg in the
ovary. However, a minipill is a type of pill that only
contains progestin hormone only which is good for
mothers who are breastfeeding.
The Pills

 Which birth control pill should I take?

First, talk with your health care provider about whether the Pill is
right for you. If it is, discuss which pill and what dosage is best for
you.
The combined pill with both estrogen and progestin is slightly
more effective than the progestin-only pill. However, some women
can’t take estrogen, so it’s better for them to take the progestin-only
pill.
The Pills

How effective is the pill at preventing pregnancy?

 If you take the Pill at the same time every day (perfect use), it’s more than 99% effective.
This means that if 100 women take the combination pill every day, less than 1 woman will
become pregnant in a year.
 Although it’s obvious that the Pill is most effective against pregnancy when it’s taken at
the same time every day, perfect use can be difficult for both teens and adults. That’s why
it’s often considered 91% effective. This means that if 100 women use the Pill, but don’t
take it perfectly, 9 or more women will become pregnant in a year.
The Pills
What are the possible side effects of the Pill?

 Irregular periods: Spotting (you don’t need to use a regular pad, just a panty shield) or very
light bleeding may occur during the first 1-3 weeks of starting the Pill, or if you miss a pill. If the
bleeding becomes heavier or lasts more than a few days or the bleeding happens after you have
been on the pill for a few months, keep taking the pill and talk with your health care provider.
 Nausea: Nausea occasionally occurs when you first start taking the Pill and will often go away in
a few days. It is less likely to occur if the Pill is taken after dinner or with a bedtime snack.
 Headaches: Headaches may occur because of stress at school or home, too little sleep, sinus
infections, or migraines. The Pill can make headaches better or worse. If your health care
provider thinks your headaches are related to the Pill, he/she may prescribe an oral contraceptive
pill with a lower amount of estrogen or have you go off the Pill for a short time. If you have
migraine headaches, talk to your health care provider about whether the Pill is right for you.
The Pills
 Mood changes: Feeling up and down emotionally can sometimes happen to anyone and is
unlikely to be caused by the Pill. Exercise and a healthy diet may help, along with talking
to a counselor. Make sure you let your health care provider know how you are feeling.
 Sore or enlarged breasts: Very occasionally, your breasts may become tender and/or get
larger, but usually your breasts will stay the same. Breast tenderness usually goes away
after a few months.
 Weight change: Some teens gain weight and some teens lose weight while on the Pill, but
most stay exactly the same. Try to remember to watch your portion sizes, avoid fast food,
and eat 5-13 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Drink lots of water and don’t forget
to exercise! Just in case you were wondering, there are no calories in the Pill.
Condom
 A condom is a sheath-shaped barrier device,
used during sexual intercourse to reduce the
probability of pregnancy or a sexually
transmitted disease. It is commonly latex but
there are also condoms made of plastic and
lambskin. Specially when the man who will use
it is allergic to latex. It also has a lubricant.
There are no side effects except for the allergy
reaction. This is also the most effective method
to use to prevent any type of sexually
transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS,
gonorrhea, STI, herpes, chlamydia. Most
condoms are coated with spermicides that kills
sperm cells instantly and lubricants to prevent
irritation during sexual intercourse.
IUD (Intra-uterine Device)

 An IUD is a tiny device that's put

into your uterus to prevent pregnancy.
It’s long-term, reversible, and one of the
most effective birth control methods out
there. It's a small piece of flexible
plastic shaped like a T. Sometimes it’s
called an IUC — intrauterine
contraception.
IUD (Intra-uterine Device)

What are the benefits of IUDs?

 They last a long time.

 They're mostly hassle-free. Once you have one inserted, you don't have to think
about it, and neither does your partner.
 It’s one cost, upfront.
 They’re safe to use if you're breastfeeding.
Implants
 The implant is made up of two small rods
the size of a matchstick. The rods are put
under the skin in the inside of your arm.
They slowly release a hormone called
progestogen. They work for up to 5 years.
You can have them taken out whenever
you want. Implants can stop your body
from releasing an egg each month. They
also thicken the mucus in your cervix so
sperm cannot get to an egg. Almost
anyone, at any age, can have an implant. It
is good if you forget pills, appointments
for injections, or if you have a medical
reason that stops you using the combined
pill.
Implants
What are the ADVANTAGES?
 Long Acting – it lasts for up to 5 years
 Reversible – you can choose to have it taken out at any time. After that, you will be able to get
pregnant again.
 99% effective
 You don’t need to thing about contraception everyday.

What are the DISADVANTAGES?

 You might have irregular periods or periods that last longer. This is quite common in the first 6
months but it can last as long as you use implant. This can be annoying, but its not harmful and the
implant will still work. If the bleeding is a problem, you can get pills to help.
 You might have a sore or a bruised arm after the implant is put in or taken out. There is a small risk
of infection.
Vasectomy (Male Sterilization)
A vasectomy is an operation for a man, so
that their partner can’t get pregnant. The
procedure, which you can get done in a
doctor’s office without being “asleep,” stops
sperm from being able to leave the testes. With
no sperm entering the woman, she won’t get
pregnant. Your doctor may call it “male
sterilization.” Men can still have an orgasm or
ejaculate afterward. It’s nearly 100% effective.
In very rare cases, the man’s tubes, called the
vas deferens, can rejoin. In those cases, a
pregnancy could happen. After the procedure
the couple have to wait for 3 months for it to
take effect. Until then, use other methods.
Vasectomy (Male Sterilization)
How Is a Vasectomy Done?
The surgeon makes a small cut in the upper part of the scrotum, under the penis, and then
cuts, ties, or blocks the vas deferens. You’ll get your surgical cuts stitched up and go home right
away. Some men get a "no-scalpel" vasectomy, which uses very small holes instead of cuts and
doesn’t require stitches.

Are There Side Effects?

The procedure is very safe. Complications aren’t common, but if they happen, they can
include swelling, bruising, inflammation, and infection. These are almost never serious, but tell
your doctor if you have symptoms. The procedure will not affect your testosterone level,
erections, climaxes, sex drive, or any other part of your sex life.
Tubal Ligation (Female Sterilization)
Tubal ligation is surgery women
can get to "tie” their fallopian tubes. It’s
a type of female sterilization. The goal
is to prevent eggs from traveling from
the ovaries to the uterus, so you can’t
get pregnant. Tubal ligation and tubal
implants are almost -- but not quite --
100% effective. There is a slight risk of
becoming pregnant after tubal ligation.
That can happen if the tubes grow back
together, which is very rare. Same with
vasectomy, tubal ligation does not
protect you and your partner from any
sexually transmitted disease.
Tubal Ligation (Female Sterilization)

What to expect:

 After procedure, nothing to remember and no side-effects.

 Do not need to be put to sleep during procedure.
 Usually you can go home a few hours after procedure.
 May have soreness for a few days after procedure.
 Monthly bleeding will continue as usual for you.
Injections/Injectables
The contraceptive injection contains a
progestogen hormone called depo
medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). Progestogen
hormones are very similar to a woman's own
hormone called progesterone. The contraceptive
injection is sometimes called a LARC. This stands
for long-acting reversible contraceptive. The
progestogen is injected into a muscle or under the
skin and then is gradually released into the
bloodstream. It works mainly by stopping the
release of the egg from the ovary (ovulation). It also
thickens the mucus made by the neck of the womb
(cervix) which forms a mucous plug. This stops
sperm getting through to the womb (uterus) to
fertilise an egg. It also makes the lining of the womb
thinner. This makes it unlikely that any egg that has
managed to be fertilised will be able to implant in
the womb.
Injections/Injectables
What are the advantages of the contraceptive injection?

 You do not have to remember to take a pill every day. You only have to think about contraception every 2-3
months.
 It does not interfere with sex.
 It can be used when breastfeeding.
 Periods often stop completely, which is perfectly safe.
 It may help some of the problems of periods, such as premenstrual tension, heavy, painful periods and
endometriosis.
 It can be used by many of the women who cannot take the combined pill.
 It is not harmful to women with sickle cell disease and may even reduce the pain of a sickle crisis.
 It may be taken by women who are on medication that would interfere with other forms of hormonal
contraception - for example, medications for epilepsy or HIV.
 It may reduce the chances of getting cancer of the ovary or cancer of the womb (endometrial cancer)
 If you want to stop using it you don't have to go back to your doctor or nurse to have it removed; you just have
to wait for it to wear off.
Injections/Injectables
What are the disadvantages of the contraceptive injection?

 The injection cannot be removed once given. Any side-effects may last for more than 2-3
months, until the progestogen goes from your body.
 As the injection is long-acting, it may take some time after the last injection for you to
become fertile again. This time varies from woman to woman. Some women may not ovulate
for 6-8 months after the last injection. Rarely, it can take more than a year before fertility
returns. This delay is not related to the length of time you use this method of contraception.
 Your periods are likely to change. During the first few months, some women have irregular
bleeding which can be heavier and longer than normal. However, it is unusual for heavy
periods to persist. After the first few months it is more common for the periods to become
lighter than usual, although they may be irregular. Many women have no periods at all, which
many see as a benefit. The longer it is used, the more likely it is that periods will stop. After
they have had the injection for a year, periods stop for about 7 in 10 women.
Injections/Injectables
Are there any side-effects with the contraceptive injection?

 Apart from changes to periods, side-effects are uncommon. If one or more should occur, they
often settle down over a couple of months or so. One possible side-effect is weight gain. This
seems to be a particular problem for young women (under 18 years) who are already overweight
when they start the injection. Some women also report fluid retention, worsening acne,
headaches and breast discomfort. However, there is little evidence to say that the injection
causes these symptoms.
 The most common reason for women to stop having the injections is because of irregular
bleeding.
 The injection can lead to some 'thinning' of the bones. This does not usually cause any problems
and the bones go back to normal when the injections are stopped. Using injectable contraception
for many years might lead to more bone thinning. It is therefore recommended that you have a
review every two years with your doctor or nurse. They will discuss if this method is still the
best one for you.
Thank you!